A flexible critical framework for A-level poetry
ITAPE structures thinking without closing it down.
It works for unseen poetry and anthology essays.
It works for unseen poetry and anthology essays.
Tap to Reveal ITAPE
I – Intro
How the poem opens and frames its central idea or relationship.
How the poem opens and frames its central idea or relationship.
T – Tone
The emotional register and attitude established by the voice.
The emotional register and attitude established by the voice.
A – Aural choices
Sound, voice, rhythm, rhyme, repetition and musical effects.
Sound, voice, rhythm, rhyme, repetition and musical effects.
P – Pace
Movement, pauses, enjambment, caesura, acceleration or control.
Movement, pauses, enjambment, caesura, acceleration or control.
E – Ending
How the poem resolves, destabilises or reframes meaning.
How the poem resolves, destabilises or reframes meaning.
Tap to Reveal Paragraph Formula
Point addressing the question – A clear comparative idea that answers the task.
Poem A point – A focused claim that illuminates the argument.
Poem A quotation – A precise quotation to anchor your point.
Poem A analysis (THE FORMULA)
✒ technique (green)
🔑 analytic verb (red)
✒ technique (green)
🔑 analytic verb (red)
Compare to Poem B – Link directly back to the argument and question.
Poem B quotation – A precise quotation to anchor your comparison.
Poem B analysis (THE FORMULA)
✒ technique (green)
🔑 analytic verb (red)
✒ technique (green)
🔑 analytic verb (red)
Tap to Reveal Model Paragraph (Power)
Both poems present love and seduction as forces that create a power imbalance within relationships.
In Villegiature, Nesbit positions the voice as seductive and in control, describing the dreamed intimacy as “softly” and “sweet”.
The sibilance intensifies a breathy sensual atmosphere, highlighting her deliberate and directing desire, which implies the voice is in control.
In contrast, Keats has the knight describe her “wild wild eyes”.
The repetition of the w sound reflects a breathlessness and the choice of the adjective “wild” suggests an uncontrollable urge that has taken over the knight.
The panting loss of control demonstrates his pyschological submission, and that he is now powerless and under her “thrall”.
✒ Technique
sibilance / repetition of the w sound
🔑 Analytic verb
intensifies / reflects